Test drive Audi A4: the hard way to perfection

The first trip with the model gave me a reason to say: the work was worth it!

A wonderful new world. It may seem strange, or maybe not entirely, but what is now most seriously changing in cars should be looked for in the interior - this is especially true for new ones. Audi A4. Finally, the brand's digital revolution – from the TT to the Q7 – is coming to Audi's all-important mid-range model, the A4. Provided that the customer orders a car with MMI navigation plus, he can have fully digital devices in front of him. In practice, this happens with 80 percent of orders for brand models in the SUV segment.

The driver has a 12,3-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 1440 x 540 pixels, which provides him with exceptional sharpness and excellent image contrast. You can switch between the two types of screen images using the View button on the left side of the multifunction steering wheel. Optionally, you can bring up a view from Google Earth version 7.0 that reflects the environment with a lot of information about nearby places worth exploring. The Cultural Guide is very handy and is located in the Traffic Information submenu. It is like having a well-educated and well-mannered guide at your disposal.

Do not blame us - we understand how much text we have been devoting to such electronic novelties lately, but what can you do - they are the heroes of our time. And, perhaps to annoy you a bit, we'll mention that you have the ability to seamlessly connect your iPhone (for example), download free apps, and manage your phone and contacts from within the car's systems. The turn-and-push button on the center console is equipped with a touch pad on which you can write letters. My first search with him—capital B followed by L—automatically brought up the contact screen on my phone, namely my colleague Bloch, but when I tried to talk to him through the system's speakers, I was told he had the day off. In practice, however, you can travel safely and comfortably because the navigation system's voice control works well and the desired destination is displayed instantly.

For the first time with a head-up display

In this new multimedia world, which is part of Audi's new role, the head-up display is perfect, which, according to Audi's head of electronics Ricky Hoody, has so far only been available on models with a displacement of more than 2,8 liters. ... On other occasions, outsiders were not particularly impressed by the fourth socket near the windshield, which appeared to be intended only for small items.

And if we finally put a lot of modern electronic toys aside and focus on what we like best, or on the classic monolithic mechanics, we will very quickly find that this mid-range sedan has changed significantly. It has lost 120 kilograms to a size comparable to the A5 and now has an all-new five-point suspension and electromechanical power steering system.

The designers put a lot of effort into the overall tuning of the car's chassis. As a result, there are many possible modes of suspension operation. The system works quite harmoniously even with the basic setting and in a prototype.

The new generation Audi A4 has lost the heavy steering wheel of its predecessor, steering is now much easier and a real pleasure to drive the car through the tight corners of the Black Forest. Comfort is good, but it still feels like a firmer ride, even if it's too hard for rear passengers. Obviously, the designers have not yet said the last word on this matter. The exceptional strength and torsion resistance of the housing, as well as the good sound isolation from the environment, are impressive.

The range of offered engines is wide. The new 2.0 TFSI, which inherits the 1.8 TFSI, also belongs to him. This machine focuses not on your typical downsizing understanding, but on designs and processes such as the Miller cycle that help reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, respectively.

New combustion processes

The new engine, with integrated exhaust manifolds in the cylinder head and a compression ratio increased from 9,6:1 to 11,7:1, has an increase in power from 190 hp. (20 hp more than its less powerful predecessor), but at the same time, CO2 emissions have been reduced by seven grams per 100 km. And another interesting point - at a speed of 130 km / h, this model can cover a distance of 450 meters with more inertia, despite less weight, thanks to an improved flow coefficient and reduced tire rolling resistance.

However, this engine is not the most popular on offer, because the four-cylinder unit loudly announces every acceleration. Unbelievable pleasure - the first drive with a version equipped with a three-liter TDI engine that accelerates powerfully, does not interfere with the acoustics under load and creates a great overtaking feeling - which is not surprising at 272 hp.

In total, the new Audi A4 comes with 7 engines, you can choose between three TFSIs and four TDIs ranging from 150 to 272 hp. How is the plug-in hybrid version of the model? “We'll see how customers react and accept the current offerings,” Mr. Hackenberg said. "In any case, there will be more versions."

Next year, with the S4, we will offer a new generation of V6 petrol engines that will deliver 360 hp when built into the sporty version. Our partners at Porsche are responsible for the development of a range of engines in the V8 segment with the same architecture that we call Concern-V-Ottomotoren (Group petrol V-engines)," added Mr. Hackenberg.

The new Q7 has a whole armada of Audi A4 assistance systems such as parking aid,

assistant warning of the approaching car from the side when reversing, warning when leaving the car, assistant for collision avoidance during maneuvers and recognition of traffic signs. The front camera sees more than 100 meters of the road and scans the area for other vehicles and pedestrians at speeds up to 85 km / h. In the event of an accident, the braking system is activated, which slows down and can even stop the car.

Brave new world? Not only. If you're worried that your driving pleasure may be lost due to support systems taking your control, forget about worries. Never before has a model called A4 been more enjoyable than our driving today.

CONCLUSION

The unobtrusive Audi A4 didn't get praise beforehand, which is unfair. The new model is a surprisingly dynamic, quite comfortable and, above all, harmoniously built car that should not be afraid to show off in front of competitors. Mercedes C-Class and BMW Series 3. The digital instrument panel is very clear and bright, the new seats are comfortable and with many settings, the whole package of the new Audi A4 looks extremely harmonious.